Post date:2016-06-17
Updates:2016-08-23
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![1_光復橋舊貌.jpg 1_光復橋舊貌.jpg](https://www.travel.taipei/d_upload_ttn/cms/webEdit/A0/B0/C0/D0/E0/F0/90a1ca0e-641c-47bd-b067-8d76988a9ca5.jpg)
The former appearance of Guangfu Bridge. (Photo: Department of Social Welfare, Taipei City Government)
When “Bangka (艋舺)” is mentioned, do you think of the name of a popular Taiwanese movie, wealthy and youthful Ximending (西門町), snake soup along Huaxi Street, or Bopiliao Historic Block (剝皮寮歷史街區)? Perhaps Bangka is best described as a mix of old and new, replicated and renewed, and ancient and contemporary....
“First Tainan (台南), second Lukang (鹿港), third Bangka” is a saying that is used to explain the importance of Wanhua toTaiwan’s early development. Bangka forms a section of the Wanhua District, which covers an area of 8.852 square kilometers andincludes 36 Li and 722 neighborhoods. The
Tamsui River (淡水河) and Xindian River (新店溪) run through and on the opposite banks of these rivers are Zhonghe, Yonghe and Banqiao districts. It is connected via the Huazhong Bridge (華中橋), the Guangfu Bridge (光復橋) the Huajiang Bridge (華江橋) and the Wanban Bridge (萬板大橋), as well as a recently converted railroad bridge, the Huacui Bridge (華翠大橋). Furthermore, all of these bridges are linked to the Huanhe Expressway (環河快速道路), making transportation very convenient.
Wanhua has a history of prosperity and decline. Over time, a number of areas have become old communities. Important issues in these communities include preserving Wanhua’s past, planning transportation and tourism routes and highlighting the significance of historical relics, to incorporate local historical materials, popular culture, traditional knowledge and social welfare services planning. Another issue is finding ways to match up historical stories with international publicity to rid Wanhua of its image as an area where the homeless congregate.
Planning Field Trips for Taipei City Elementary Schools
Chi ldren are natural vehicles for absorbing and disseminating knowledge. Narratives told by children make the city’s culture more imag inati ve . The integration of local guides and local education can enable Wanhua’s history to take root. This will make the city’s tourism more than just tourism, and through the children’s “Mafalda” comic strip-like vision Bangka’s original vital it y can be revived.
![2_鄉土教學走出教室,藉由導覽讓萬華的文化歷史向下扎根.jpg 2_鄉土教學走出教室,藉由導覽讓萬華的文化歷史向下扎根.jpg](https://www.travel.taipei/d_upload_ttn/cms/webEdit/A0/B0/C0/D0/E0/F0/681276d3-131c-4dd2-b13a-4b9a4e535b8a.jpg)
On-site visits and in-depth tours help the public to gain an understanding of Bangka’s hundreds of years of glamour. (Photo: Gao Zanxian, Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government)
Planning Local Cultural Tourism
Routes
To help the public gain a new impression and understanding of Bangka, the Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism (台北市政府觀光傳播局) held a series of ten “Bangka Historical Tours” (艋舺迺透透) beginning in August. Local cultural worker Kao Chuan-chi (高傳棋) took tourists on a journey through Bangka’s history and cultural characteristics to discover its historic sites, industries, gourmet and traditional shops.
Establishing a Visitor Center
The city government plans to establish a visitor center and use the rich life experience of volunteer tour guides to lead tourists on a route through famous attractions such as Longshan Temple (龍山寺), Herb Alley (青草巷), used goods market and Bopiliao Historic Block to give them a glimpse of Bangka’s beauty and glamour.
Planning of Festivals: Revitalization of Industry
All kinds of festivals and events can drive a steady stream of domestic and foreign tourists. Concentrating on the power of development will enable tourists to fall in love with the stories of Bangka. In addition, integrating Bangka’s shopping districts with the development of the underground bazaar, strengthening its image through landscaping and decoration, carefully establishing uniquely themed attractions, and displaying the diverse characteristics of the shopping districts will attract domestic and foreign tourists to continue the revitalization of its industries.
![3_藉由實地走訪、深度導覽,讓民眾了解艋舺的百年風華.jpg 3_藉由實地走訪、深度導覽,讓民眾了解艋舺的百年風華.jpg](https://www.travel.taipei/d_upload_ttn/cms/webEdit/A0/B0/C0/D0/E0/F0/ef021afc-256d-4b3f-be99-f705d2617e26.jpg)
Leaving the classroom to go on field trips. Through guided tours, Wanhua’s culture is taking root. (Photo: Department of Social Welfare, Taipei City Government)
Planning a Friendly Transportation Environment
Doing away with obstacles on sidewalks and arcades is part of the effort to provide a friendly and barrier-free environment. The feasibility of cross-embankment pedestrian bridges is under evaluation. Such bridges will allow cyclists and those in wheelchairs to more easily explore all of Wanhua.
Taipei Bangka Park Project
Providing a friendly, supportive environment for the homeless and addressing the causesof homelessness will lead to the cleaning up of Bangka Park ( 艋舺公園), as well as the improving of safety and rekindling of Bangka’s glamour.
Taking Stock of Welfare Needs: Establishing a Diversity of Services
Newborn babies, gray-haired elderly people, new immigrant mothers, and homeless people who have weathered many storms... These are the people who need welfare assistance in Bangka. Continuously taking stock of these local groups’ welfare needs and establishing diverse social welfare services will enable the smiles of Taipei City residents to emerge at every corner.
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